Gonorrhea throat or pharyngeal gonorrhea as mentioned is a form of sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a Gram-negative round shaped bacterium called the Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacterium gives off a yellowish discharge that combines with semen and vaginal fluids along with mucus membranes that are located near the anus and the rectum. When these fluids come in contact with a patient’s mucus membranes in the oral area, then the infection will start and bacteria will thrive in the pharynx which often will bear no signs or asymptomatic or will cause discomforts in the throat making it difficult to swallow any kind of food or beverages.
Since the infection may be asymptomatic, there are many patients who do not know that they carry the bacteria and eventually spread it to other patients. Most of those who are infected are teenagers who do not practice safe sex methods.
What are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea Throat
This condition usually does not have any clear symptoms and at often times is mistaken for a fever. This is why many patients with the condition do not really know if they have it unless checked with a doctor. Symptoms surface within 2 to 10 days after exposure from an infected source. There are times when the condition is asymptomatic or showing no symptoms. However, for symptomatic conditions, some of the symptoms include the following:
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Extremely dry, hoarse and sore throat.
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Patients will have a hard time in swallowing food and beverages.
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Cervical lymphadenitis or swelling of the lymph glands that are located in the neck area.
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Sore throat symptoms similar to those of strep throat. These symptoms include reddening and swelling of the throat or erythematous, appearance of white spots, and a yellowish or whitish discharge.
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Pharyngitis and tonsillitis symptoms are also observed.
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Mild fever, colds, coughs and fatigue or flu-like symptoms can also be experienced.
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The mouth and the tongue are not infected that is why bacteria cannot be transmitted through kissing.
Gonorrhea Throat Treatment
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Generally or in most cases, the condition will heal itself without any treatment. The measures that are done are mostly used to prevent its spread to other patients.
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Culturing of the bacteria is usually done to know the best antibiotic that can kill it since many Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains are resistant to many kinds of antibiotics. Follow-up culture is also done to ensure that success of the treatment.
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The use of an oral dam or a small and thin piece of rubber used in dental procedures can prevent infection when doing oral sex.